After a quiet September, Microsoft Corp. is planning nine security fixes -- at least one of them rated as critical -- as part of its monthly release of security updates.
Eight patches are updates to the Windows operating system, according to information on Microsoft's Web site. A critical rating for a bug means that a worm could take advantage of it without user action.

The other update, which is meant for both Windows and Exchange, is rated as "important," according to Microsoft.

The patch for the bugs, called "updates" by Microsoft, will come as part of the company's regular monthly patch release cycle. Microsoft releases most software patches on the second Tuesday of each month, a date that has come to be known as "Patch Tuesday" by security professionals.

Microsoft also will release an updated version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services and the Download Center. The tool will not be distributed using Software Update Services, however.

In September, Microsoft initially released one software fix on Patch Tuesday but pulled it a day later due to quality issues. Source